Volunteering in Ladakh

vespertine

Hi all,

My partner and I wish to spend April and May '07 in Ladakh, working in an area that volunteers are needed. English teaching seems to be the primary volunteer option but I would consider any other pathways where two able bodied, smart and caring people would be of help to local groups...

If you have any volunteer experience in the Ladakh region and/or can recommend any specific organisations to check out, please let me know.

Much appreciated!

hitanshu

Mail mr Anil Gupta, prof IIM Ahd
anilg at iimahd.ernet.in

he's worked extensively with local communities in that area. He would know/guide you well.

Best of luck

mridula

I am also looking to do some volunteering in Lahul and Spiti this summer. Any help?

__________________
mridula

http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

JCGerms

hello mridula,

I just read in you blog that you went to Ladakh in June and "almost " did the Markha Valley Trek. I'm sorry that you were not able to complete the trek but it was best to turn around I guess. I wanna do the Marka Valley Trek as well this year in June and wonder how the temperature was in June 2005?
Thank you very much.

Many greetings
Jochen

mridula

Hi JC,

The day time at Markha Valley trek was quite warm, almost hot, remember Ladakh is a cold desert. But the nights get cold but not unbearably so. We had a good sleeping bag and it was sufficient inside a tent. But I don't know how it would be at higher altitude in the trek. Hope you will have a wonderful trek.

fnm500

Hi,

Have you checked out ISEC yet?

http://www.isec.org.uk

Click on Ladakh project and then scroll down to Farm Stays.
http://www.isec.org.uk/pages/ladakh.html#learningfrom

April/May might be difficult months though if you go through this organization.

cheers

zwala

You might also want to check out Ladakh Ecological Development Group.
They are involved in community development and sustainable solutions. They used to run month long projects that placed volunteers in villages, to help out with farming, irrigation and education.
They are a well respected organization in Leh and I think you'd benefit from making contact with them.
All the best.

guidedeba

Dear Mridula,
I arrange volunteer job in the remote villages in Spiti & Lahoul. Perhaps you know that it is the only time they need a lot of help to grow their food and look after & repair their houses too for the next winter. So you can help them in field , or help thefamliy to teach their children who are going to school. or even can help the teachers in the school in the classes. You generally pay for your stay with the family. And if you need any interpreter his / her charges. If you are interested can write me back.
Deba.

vespertine

Thanks to all who have replied. I started my search for work in Ladakh a few weeks ago with SECMOL, who haven't replied to my emails (I believe net connections are not so great so far north) and I have looked elsewhere for orgnisations in the area. Now I've asked the great IMers, I will definitely contact the organisations you have recommended. Thank you for your input - it's nice to be recommended sites and names rather than ploying through all the results that come from a 'Google' search. I can't wait for my chance to explore and work in Ladakh. It looks like I must fly from Delhi to Leh as I don't think I can travel north on the road in late April....If anyone thinks there is a chance I could travel by road/bus, please let me know.

Enjoy your adventures
Peace
x

davidp80

Vespertine,

There's a good chance the road to Leh via Srinagar and Kargil would be open at that time of the year - so I hear - but obviously there are political dangers with that route.

I also emailed LEDeG. They arrange month long homestays with voluteer agricultural work for the summer season for around 2000-3000 rupees per month. An excellent deal! I encourage you to email then with your interest. Thanks,

-Dave

mishandlauren

Deba,
I would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities. We will arrive in India in the middle of August and wish to be in the hills/mtns by the last week. We are two travellers--one with good teaching experience/writing, computer skills and one who is a professional in mental health/child development. We can also do physical/home repair work too!
Please let us know if we might be helpful to you and how to arrange further.
thanks

mridula

Deba, thanks a lot for your reply. But do you say winters? That would be way too difficult for me. I am a teacher myself but in winter the place must be impossible for the people like me who have lived all their life in the northern plains.

Abhay_Mysore

Sair kar duniya ki Ghalib, Zindagi fir kahan...

I loved it.

mridula

They are lovely words, I agree.

guidedeba

dear friend you are the right kind of people who I think could be helpful for that area. Now I am in the mountains climbing and exploring high Himalayas. Just found out the Mythological legedary route between Badrinath to Kedarnath through Panpatia glacier & Col (5218 mtrs.) g through kalindi khal between Gongotri & Badrinath and also climb to peaks of 6120 &6443mtrs.

I will be back hme and write you back after 10th July. it won't be problem to arange your volunteer job during the end of August onwards, Do you let me nw about yor period of stay in that area? and if you need any interpreter etc? write me to my personal mail. <indiaguide@mail.com>

Dear Mridula, I didn't say working in winter. I just said tha to help thme the fight the NEXT winer. The volunteering option is mainly from June end to october middle.